Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Supporting Aboriginal employment in south-west Western Australia

Joint Media Release with:

  • Gary Gray MP
    Minister for Resources and Energy
    Federal Member for Brand

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Minister for Resources and Energy, Gary Gray, have signed a Regional Agreement with Newmont Boddington Gold and the Gnaala Karla Booja people to increase Aboriginal employment in the south-west region of Western Australia.

This important agreement builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Australian Government and the Minerals Council of Australia in 2009.

“The Gillard Government is committed to helping people in remote and regional parts of Western Australia get the skills they need to get a job,” Ms Macklin said.

“The Memorandum of Understanding has already identified a number of opportunities that will help promote Aboriginal employment in the region.”

The Australian Government has provided $134,000 over two years to help support the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding.

One of the partners to the agreement, Newmont Boddington Gold, currently employs more than 80 Aboriginal people and through this work has committed to employ 116 Aboriginal people by 2018. This will represent 10% of their total workforce.

“The Gillard Government knows that having a job improves wellbeing and self-confidence, and helps build stronger local communities and economies,” Mr Gray said.

“Today’s statement sets out the responsibilities of each party in improving employment and business development opportunities for Indigenous people in South Western Australia.

“We know that creating job opportunities for more Aboriginal people at the local level and strengthening the local labour market is essential to addressing disadvantage and enabling better outcomes for Indigenous people and communities,” Mr Gray said.

“As part of our efforts in Closing the Gap we have set a goal of halving the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade by 2018,” Ms Macklin said.

“We know that Government cannot close the gap alone which is why partnerships between governments and industry are so important.”